Report: Wal-Mart centralizes IT approach

Santa Clara, Calif. –- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly developing a new centralized approach to how it prioritizes and executes IT projects.



According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart will now consolidate all IT projects into a single portfolio overseen by CIO Karenann Terrell.



In addition, projects will be consistently prioritized according to corporate goals and type of software involved. Previously, there was not a consistent methodology for aligning IT projects with corporate goals or ranking them in order of importance. Projects will be ranked by importance on a quarterly basis and then be implemented in order until IT funding for the quarter runs out. Projects left on the list when funding runs out will be pushed into the next quarter.



Furthermore, the new approach also incorporates flexible staffing, meaning employees may be asked to perform tasks outside their normal job description for a project. While Wal-Mart IT executives said human resources is not happy with this part of the plan, it is designed to eliminate duplicate projects and the need for outside contractors, as well as help ensure projects align with corporate goals.



Many of the principles of Wal-Mart’s new IT approach, which is about one-third implemented, are based on ideas from the Stanford Advanced Project Management Program.